Y&R: December 2024 Discussion Thread

[ranger1rg]

I have complaints about Y&R, but I don't agree with this one. I don't see any evidence the actors are phoning it in.

[Faulkner]

I see it differently and that’s fine. It takes me out of the show because it feels artificial. I prefer a more naturalistic approach and even when Y&R was more melodramatic in the past, I felt like the way they spoke was much more natural. It’s more pronounced on certain days and with certain actors. I don’t feel that way about Jason Thompson—and certainly not Stafford because she’s always gonna do her thing. But there’s a very stagey, declarative way of speaking that makes Y&R almost feel like a children’s show at times. It’s not stylized like Old Hollywood-type speech.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Faulkner

[ranger1rg]

We'll have to disagree on this. TBH, I really don't understand your point, especially when Stafford gets the "she's always gonna do her thing" evaluation.

[Faulkner]

Other people seem to get it, so I’ll just let it go. Take care.

[soapfan770]

I blame Josh Griffith for the poor dialogue since firing those writers last year.

Most of Y&R’s cast can act and do well, barring the exceptions of folks like Morrow, Ordway, and Stafford(who at least isn’t giggling since Scott’s return) lol. In the case of someone like Jason Thompson he still can deliver a good performance but I will say he’s overused and when he’s not fully involved he can give a lazy performance, which tends to double down on an already annoying character.

[Faulkner]

The dialogue often sucks, though, so I wonder if that’s part of the problem. When I watch Y&R lately, most actors deliver their lines in a very deliberate, formal way that doesn't reflect how people naturally speak. The pacing feels artificial - like they're carefully enunciating every word instead of having organic conversations. It's not that the performances lack emotion, but the delivery often feels more like a staged reading than natural dialogue. This wasn't always the case on Y&R - in the past, even with melodramatic storylines, the speech patterns felt more naturalistic. Stafford doesn’t play it that way: she has her own rhythms and tics that are uniquely her own. But Ordway has been a main offender in having that “staged reading” feeling to how she speaks.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Faulkner

[soapfan770]

Y&R 12/23 and 12/24

Not a bad holiday week so far here.

The Newman Christmas was actually nice to see. I’m glad Victor had finally come around to accepting Cole, thought it was so over the top for Victor try to banish Cole out of Victoria’s life like it was 1994. So I’m glad to see them have a joyous holiday in their beautiful rebuilt ranch. 

Appreciated the Abbotts having a warm Christmas as well. Highlight for me was Diane, Traci, and Ashley having awkward conversation at Society after doing Christmas shopping. Ashley promising to be civil for the holidays but still giving Diane the side eye was great. The scenes with Diane and Kyle were surprisingly touching while Jack and Diane’s were actually romantic and sweet. 
 

Finally, Phyllis and Sharon facing off together in the cabin. I thought initially this was going to be hokey, but it wasn’t. Both Stafford and Case did quite well here and were engaged. Again no giggles, in fact when Sharon told Phyllis off, for a second Stafford looked like she had her feelings hurt and was about to cry. Well done. Although I blame Nick for letting Phyllis in on her rampage. I would’ve added a scene where Faith, Mariah, and Tessa jumped Phyllis afterwards lol.

Ever since Stafford came back, I always forget that at one time Phyllis and Lauren were good friends. Which is odd as the friendship went back to the Latham era, but it was strongest when GT of Phyllis was in role. I guess Lauren hasn’t had time for Phyllis’ games anymore. 

[Taoboi]

12-20

 

Wait! Are Mariah and Tessa about to be adjacent to the front burner? I know I've been enjoying the next misses between Mariah and Ian, and how she could sense him around. But him getting close to Tessa is soap delicious. Fingers crossed.

 

So Jordan and Ian are close like THAT? Uh...

 

It lost a little bit of 12-19's momentum, but it was a nice closer.

[soapfan770]

LOL I meant to comment on those “origins” scenes because Wise and CZ made them work so well despite being ludicrous. I do wish there was a bit stronger motivation for Jordan though that we already didn’t know. I blame JG for telling the initial story without much buildup. 

[Taoboi]

Yeah, I agree that those worked in spite of themselves. They should have shown them earlier than now. It's CZ and RW's chemistry. And they found the emotional thread in them losing Mariah/Claire respectively. Hard to do for psychoses. 

[soapfan770]

Oh yes I’m also actually glad the show appears to be set to revisit Ian and Mariah. I recall when Ian was last on he was primarily having a romp with Patty right after being responsible for the Towering Inferno bombing…actually I don’t remember even why they had brought him back for that, probably had something to do with Dylan and/or Nikki.

[Taoboi]

Patty?

[soapfan770]

Patty Williams, Paul’s sister. She was brought back in 2015 to be Sharon’s roommate at the mental clinic when Sharon was faking she was still pregnant and they were both being treated by a psychiatrist who also happened by some retcon ex of Nick’s who was obsessed with getting revenge on him. There a was a fire or something and Patty escaped to look for Jack, who she was still obsessed with herself. The Pratt era is sometimes best left unexplained lol.

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[kalbir]

Corrected that for you

[Taoboi]

See? I remembering reading some of that, but I didn't know Patty and Ian...ewww.